Avoiding the Inevitable: Redrawing Houston

The Honorable Judge Sim Lake has dismissed a lawsuit filed by “against the City of Houston to force redistricting this year,” according to Miya Shay of the local ABC 13 television station.

A group of local activists “wanted to add two council seats this year, therefore increasing the possibility that more Latinos would be elected to City Council.”

Even though a City Charter may have backed their arguments, the City resisted … indicating that they “wanted to redistrict after the census” that is to take place next year.

The City Charter would add two more council districts when the City of Houston exceeds a population of 2.1 million

Federal Judge Lake sided with the City of Houston claiming that the plaintiffs did not prove that “how they were damaged by the city waiting for the census.”

Ergo … no new council seats for another year or two.  While I disagree with Lake’s decision, I understand that waiting for the official United States Census to take place next year would not be detrimental to the cause.

In fact, the census would most likely warrant additional seats that would end up increasing the possibility that more Hispanics would be elected to City Council. Out of the 14 available positions, only 2 members are Hispanic.

I will consider Melissa Noriega as being Hispanic although technically she is not. James G. Rodriguez is the only Hispanic of a city that has a population of over 40% that are Hispanic. Adrian Garcia used to be a member for District H until he was elected Harris County Sherriff.

At the end of the day it is still saddening that the Hispanic population of Houston … is only represented by 1 individual, at the District level. Out of 9 District seats … the only Latino is ‘repping’ the Harrisburg Area … how shocking!

Let's put it in perspective. On a roster of 15 NBA players for the Houston Rockets, one is Hispanic. On the 40-Man roster for the Houston Astros, 10 are Hispanic ... intresting nonetheless.

I do not blame African-Americans or Caucasians or anyone but Hispanics. As a Hispanic, I will not shift the blame onto anyone or entity for the shortcomings of Hispanics. In an earlier post, I entertained, “Are Hispanic Houstonians Apathetic?” and concluded that we are not … we just have not truly organized and unified for our interests as other social minorities have.

Update: Intresting enough ... the Houston Chronicle had an article, "Some wonder if District H seat is meant for a Hispanic" entertaining whether or not District H is meant for a Hispanic candidate or not. Although that may have been the case originally, I do not believe a single district belongs to any group in particular but nonetheless it is an intresting read.